St. Mark School, Bristol, PA

❕Next Session - Our Lady of Grace School❕

Are you interested in volunteering at
Saint Mark School or coaching one of our athletic teams? The required Protecting God’s Children Training Session is filling up quickly!

This Archdiocese of Philadelphia Safe Environment training is mandatory for all employees and adult volunteers who have regular contact with children. If you are planning to volunteer during the upcoming school year or coach a team, now is the time to register.

⏰ Spots are limited and filling fast! Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please see the attached flyer for complete details, registration information, and requirements.

Thank you for your willingness to share your time and talents with our students. Your support helps make our Saint Mark School community stronger! 🦁💙

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Each week, we share the stories of individuals from across our district—our Hometown Heroes—whose lives reflect the character, strength, and spirit of the community we are proud to call home.

This week, we proudly honor Father Dennis Mooney, who recently retired after 49 years of faithful service to the priesthood, including the last 23 years with his family at the Saint Mark and St. Ann Parish community in Historic Bristol Borough.

There are some people whose impact cannot be measured by a title, a building, or even a number of years. Father Mooney is one of them.

For more than two decades, Father Mooney was woven into nearly every part of Bristol Borough life. He was there in moments of celebration and sorrow, in school hallways, at community traditions from the annual St. Ann Italian Carnival to Puerto Rican Day and everything in between. He was there for families, students, seniors, neighbors, and people of every background who came to know him not only as “Father,” but as a friend.

He did not simply serve Bristol. He became part of its heart.

Born in Kensington, a graduate of Visitation B.V.M. School and Northeast Catholic High School, Father Mooney was ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 1977. His ministry took him from St. Agnes Parish in West Chester to St. Hugh of Cluny Parish in West Kensington before bringing him to Bristol, where his presence became a blessing to an entire town.

At St. Mark and St. Ann, Father Mooney built the kind of parish community every town hopes for: warm, welcoming, faithful, joyful, and alive. He made faith approachable for children, meaningful for families, and openhearted to people across denominations and backgrounds.

Father Mooney lived his priesthood in a way people could feel. He brought faith out of the abstract and into daily life—with warmth, humor, humility, and a shepherd’s heart. He helped children understand it, families lean on it, and people of every background feel welcome in the presence of God’s love.

That gift was especially clear in his devotion to Catholic education and the children of St. Mark School. Generations of students knew his joy, his stories, his encouragement, and his familiar cheer: “St. Mark’s is…” answered by the proud shout, “the best school in Bucks County!”

When both the St. Mark School and St. Ann’s Church faced closure, Father Mooney fought with everything he had to ensure they stayed open. He knew what was at stake was not simply buildings, but generations of Bristol families, children formed in faith, traditions passed down, and a community’s sense of home. His tireless work helped preserve those sacred anchors, and their continued presence in Bristol remains one of many lasting marks of his ministry.

But Father Mooney’s impact was never confined to the walls of a church or school. He showed up everywhere Bristol needed him: to listen, laugh, guide, comfort, teach, pray, and serve. In a town built on faith, family, tradition, and neighbor helping neighbor, Father Mooney became one of the leaders who held it all together.

For 23 years, he gave this community the gift of a priest who was present, approachable, joyful, and faithful—a shepherd who knew his people, loved them well, and pointed them always toward God.

As Father Mooney begins this much-earned next chapter, we wish him every blessing, every joy, good health, and—after a lifetime of giving himself so fully to others—a little more rest and relaxation, too.

Please join me in celebrating Father Dennis Mooney on his retirement, thanking him for his remarkable ministry, and honoring his 49 years of faithful service to God, the St. Mark and St. Ann parish community, all of Bristol Borough, and all who were blessed to know him.

Our 7th grade students had the opportunity to welcome Mr. Pezza into their class for an engaging presentation on America.

As our nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, students learned about the rich history, people, events, and ideals that have shaped our country. Mr. Pezza’s presentation encouraged students to reflect on America’s past while looking ahead to its future.

Thank you, Bill Pezza, for sharing your knowledge and helping bring history to life for our students. Experiences like these inspire curiosity, learning, and a deeper appreciation for our nation’s story.

🇺🇸 America 250 — honoring the past, celebrating the present, and inspiring the future.

🏄‍♂️🌊 All Things Surfing! 🌊🏄‍♂️

What a fun way to kick off summer vacation!

After reading the inspiring Bethany Hamilton novel, our 7th grade students had the opportunity to Zoom with Shawn Carr, an avid surfer, owner of Verity Coffee, and engineer in Avalon, New Jersey.

Shawn shared stories from his incredible two-week surfing adventure in the Maldives and talked with students about surfing, fishing, beach life, and the experiences that have shaped his love for the ocean. Students enjoyed learning about his travels, career, and passion for the sport.

Thank you, Shawn, for taking the time to connect with our students and give them a glimpse into the exciting world of surfing and coastal living. It was the perfect way to start summer break! ☀️🌴🏄‍♀️

As we close another wonderful school year, our Saint Mark School community gathered for our Last Day of School Mass celebrated by Father Mooney. Together, we gave thanks for the many blessings, accomplishments, and memories that made this year so special.

Following Mass, we had the privilege of recognizing many outstanding students for their hard work and achievements. Congratulations to all students who earned First and Second Honors for their academic excellence this year!

We were also honored to welcome Officer Ashley Beck, who recognized the winners of this year’s D.A.R.E. Essay Contest. Thank you for encouraging our students to make positive choices and be leaders in our community.

Special congratulations to the recipient of the Mildred and Lou Girard Scholarship Tuition Award, presented to a deserving 7th grade student entering 8th grade, and the recipients of Gabby Devine Life and Memorial Scholarship.

These awards hold special meaning to our school, as well as those recipients chosen.

We also marked an important tradition as our Student Council members passed their sashes to the incoming board. We thank our outgoing leaders for their dedication and congratulate our new Student Council officers as they prepare to lead our school community in the coming year.

It was a beautiful day of faith, recognition, and celebration as we concluded another successful school year. Congratulations to all of our students on a job well done, and we wish everyone a safe, happy, and blessed summer! 🦁💙💛

‼️IMPORTANT‼️

Attention Parents,

There will be no afternoon bus transportation provided for the students for the remainder of the week.

Dismissal is at 11:30 A.M. each day, other than Wednesday when the students are off from school.

Please make arrangements to have your students picked up at 11:30 A.M. promptly.

CARES is also available to students who are registered.

Please keep the Quinn family, the St. Charles Borromeo School community, and all those who knew and loved Mrs. Molly Quinn in your thoughts and prayers during this time of profound loss.

The Saint Mark School community extends its deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to everyone grieving the passing of Mrs. Quinn. May they find strength, comfort, and peace in the love and support of family, friends, and faith.

“Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

May God hold Mrs. Quinn close and bring His comfort to all whose lives she touched. 💙